Nest Maker questions and answers.

In this part we will try to collect questions and answers from our customers.
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Q&A->How to change Scrap to Rest for rest plates.

In file PathProject\ProjectSet\Project.inf

for rests registration:
RecScrap=Rest //Name of rest for identification
ScrapOutOrdNum=false //Order number in rest identification
ScrapOutPrjNum=false //Project number in rest identification
ScrapOutSrtNum=false //unique rest number in rest identification
ScrapOutMass=false //rest mass in rest identification
ScrapOutArea=false //rest area in rest identification
ScrapPrintDest=false //For NC Maker - specify where rest is used in rest identification

for reports:
NestedIn=Nested in Rest(Turn) //Identification of nests on rests
MinPlate=Minimal plate //Identification of nests on minimal plates
Fractional=[.] from (length|width) of a plate [B]x[A] //Identification of plates
dimensions
OrdInFilRep=false //Order number in reports file names
OrderInReport=false //Order number in reports header

Q&A->How to change material density.

It is possible to change density form table before any of plates of this type is
used in nesting.
if plates has been used for nesting it's possible to change density in the file
PathOrder\OrderSet\Sheets.csv:
Please note! In this case all previously nested parts will have previous value
of density in reports. To have correct values reports must be re-exported. For new
nested parts all information will be corresponded with new value.

Q&A->How to Import/Export XML.

XML file is used to provide data exchange between Nest Maker and Nupas.
For Import/Export XML in file PathProject\ProjectSet\Project.inf should be following
records:
InpNestsXMLfile= PathProject\.\Reports\nest_. // XML file from NUPAS
OutNestsXMLfile= PathProject\.\Reports\nest_. // XML file from Nest Maker
The name of XML files without extension. Nest Maker will replace "." symbol in the
name variable into unit number. XML file from Nupas must be created before making
reports in Nest Maker. XML file from Nest Maker will be created during report generation
process. To get more information about XML link to Nupas please read
Q&A->Production status to Nupas.

Q&A->Production status to Nupas.

Encoding: UTF-8
Production status to NUPAS example XML:
It is enough to use the Logistical_key, but it have to have a relation with the
real Nupas-Cadmatic Hull part. Assume that the status, Nestname and the other items
can send to Nupas as well by using the standard XML import. See current default
database names related to nest information below. The logistical field have to be
editable, but our standard fields which are related to a field Type can’t be changed
by the logistical layout function.
In case you like to use these standard field you have to change the db.cfg file
present in the ncgdb manually. This by changing the second row with the value 1
or you can make the Field Type empty.

Q&A->Selection group of parts with Shift button.

Group of parts selected with Shift button will be kept selected until user
press Escape button. In addition to usual correction commands, addition correction
menu will be available.
This is very useful for manual correction of the layout.

Q&A->How to create new project.

Nest maker use following directory structure for the projects management:
Root folder for nesting database contain all projects and orders. To recognize it as a root folder, name must contain substring "nest".
Next after root folder is a project. Project contain all building numbers and service folder ProjectSet with necessary project settings.
Building numbers contain building units and OrdersSet with order settings.
Unit must have a DXFParts folder inside. In general DXFParts folder can contain sub folders for DXF with different thickness.
To create new project user have to create project folder, order folder and at least one unit folder with DXFParts folder inside. Then run Nest maker and download DXF files.
First time user will get following message:
Then if answer yes:
After that all service folders and necessary files will be created and new project will be ready to use.

Edit window.

Edit window available by press F4 button. This is on of the important part of the Nest maker.
Very often DXF plate parts having some problems with text hight and text position. Edit window help to fix
most of this problems. User can check part by part from the parts list, edit text position and hight.
In most of the cases Nest maker can fix this in auto mode. User need just list of the parts and check is everything is OK.
Auto mode works better if program can recognize some text as the "special" for example orientation text, beveling information, bending lines and etc.
This text can be fill out in the table see Tools->Tables of text

File->Add.

Additional nests layout, parts and nests in DXF can be added by this command to the database:
Parts in DXF – new parts after revision can be added into existing database.
Nested layouts in DXF - nests made in different nesting software or CNC programs converted by NC Maker.
Parts in DXF - DXF file representation of the plate parts.
Nested parts group (GSR) – layouts from another database.

Tools->Distance.

Tools->Parts control.

Part control command used for comparison parts geometry in database with DXF parts in the folder. Checking progress shown by the checking window.
If differences detected Nest Maker will ask to download the new parts into database.

Tools->DXF GSR Control.

Tools->Tables of text.

The text tables is use to define text for automatically text adjustment.
In the following table user can define text relates to inner or outer contours of the part, flange bending lines, part orientation marks and so on.
It help to adjust parts texts more correctly.

Tools->Grid.

Tools->Metal for order.

By this command user can manage material usage for one building order.
Note: To add new type of material or different plate's size use ADD button. This button will be available only with non zero quantity field.

Nest->Autonesting Omega.

Nest->Nesting for one plate.

Nest->Parameters for Omega nesting.

Nest->Rasters nesting for one plate.

This command run rasters auto nesting for one plate. Plate will be taken from list of the available plates.
To get information about available plates check Tools->Metal for GSR.
Process will stop when no more available parts suitable for nesting. Auto nesting process also can be stopped by user
(button Stop in upper left corner of the window). During auto nesting process user can continue to work with the program.
Make manual nesting for another plate for example.

Nest->Rasters nesting.

This command run rasters auto nesting for all available parts and all available plates. Plates will be taken from list of the available plates
in according to available lists order. Rests can be also added to the order.
To get information about available plates check Tools->Metal for GSR.
Process will stop when no more available parts suitable for nesting or no more plates available. Auto nesting process also can be stopped by user
(button Stop in upper left corner of the window). During auto nesting process user can continue to work with the program.
Make manual nesting for another plate for example.

Nest->Parameters.

Auto nesting parameters can be set in the following menu:
User can change following parameters:
- raster representation of the part. Default value is 10 mm. Auto nesting can be more precise with value for example 5mm, but it will take more time for nesting process.
- number of possible parts rotations. To get an optimal position on the nest, parts can be rotated. Default rotation angle 45 deg. it means that parts will have 4 possible rotations.
- shift to low left corner. Due to of the raster parts representation distance between parts can be more than specified in the project.
This option shift current nested part to left lover corner up to minimal distance between parts.
Rest of parameters is used only for compatibility with Omega autonesting.

Nest->In rectangle.

Special rectangle area of the plate for auto nesting.
In this case auto nesting will try to find optimal parts position only inside the selected rectangle.
Selected area for auto nesting.
Auto nesting results.

Nest->Rectangle nesting.

Sometime if there is a lot of rectangle parts in the nest user can try rectangle nesting. It is very simple, but very fast.
All parts represented as rectangles and nested just in according of the dimensions. This function will nest available
parts on all available plates from the material list.

Rests->Registration.

Rests->Registration all.

This command allow user to register all rests at same time in the list of available rests.
It can be perform only if there is no nesting errors on layouts.
Registered rest will be marked by diagonal hatching

Rests->Delete.

This command delete rest form the layout if rest is not registered yet. If rest is registered, this command will cancel rests registration.
Cancellation of the registration for used rests is not permitted.

Edit->Up to the edge.

Edit->Move to stop.

This command help to combine to parts by selected edge. Select edge of the part to move (Edge will be marker by red color ). Then select edge you want to combine.
Before:
After:
Note! Begin point of the selected edge will corresponding to begin point of the combined edge.

Windows->Where is error.

Windows->Parts.

This command show parts list window.
Parts list window is a main tool for parts management.
Table in upper part of the window show parts quantity, dimension and other parameters. Part's information condition shown in most left column.
Parts list is can be used for changing parts parts's attributes and position in the parts list. Parts list position is most important for correct auto nesting.
For manual nesting just drag and drop part selected in the list to nest layout.
The dialog below consist of following parameters:
On/Off All lists - show all parts in GSR or only not nested parts.
On/Off Plate - show part in preview window in the gross plate scale or fit to the window
Sorting of the parts type: - different variants of the part's list sorting for the auto nesting.
List of the available layouts - switch between available layouts.
On/Off Show - highlight current selected part position on the layout.
Add parts to layout:
- in the middle of the layout - suitable for big plates like shell plates, if it's only one part for the layout.
- rectangle nesting - simple, but very quick algorithm for rectangular parts.
- autonesting Omega - using auto nesting omega for find part position.
- raster autonesting - using raster auto nesting for find part position.
On/Off Selfcorrecting - correcting part position after manual placing. Addition parameters shown radius, and number of possible rotations for part.
On/Off Shift - shift the part to low left position after autonesting.

Windows->Materials.

This command show materials list window available for the current GSR.
Materials list window is a main tool for material management.
Auto nesting algorithm start to use plates dimensions from first record in the list.
If no more available plates it's comes to the second string and so on.
The dialog consist of following parameters:
On/Off Fractional - use %of the gross plate.
On/Off Rests - use available rests.
To Order - open material window list for order Tools->Metal for order.